Musical activity in Coimbra during the 16th and 17th centuries revolved around the Cathedral, which brought together composers such as Pedro de Cristo and Pedro da Esperança, and the Monastery of Santa Cruz, a self-contained music community, which used its own members as singers, instrumentalists, composers and instrument makers. Santa Cruz has an abundant repertoire of spiritual vilancicos, one of the most original Iberian musical genres. This programme, almost all in a first modern performance, represents a significant sample of the precious 17th century Coimbra repertoire.